A Hat with a Removable Brim

ABSTRACT

A hat comprising: a crown, a detachable brim made substantially from plastic and a central link which is secured to the crown wherein the hat is formed such that the brim protrudes outwardly from the crown and wherein the brim is able to releasably engage with the central link such that in use a user can remove and replace the brim.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a hat with a removable brim. Moreparticularly it relates to a hat with a removable brim which is madesubstantially from plastic.

BACKGROUND

Brims for hats are typically made from cardboard which is wrapped infabric and then permanently fixed to the crown of a hat. Many userswould like to be able to change the style of brim on a hat by replacingit with another style of brim but are unable to do so with brims whichare permanently fixed to hats.

It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go atleast some way towards addressing this problem. While this is an objectof a preferred embodiment, it should not be seen as a limitation on thescope of the invention as claimed. The object of the invention per se issimply to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited inthis specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission ismade that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of thereferences states what their authors assert, and the applicants reservethe right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the citeddocuments. It will be clearly understood that, although a number ofprior art publications are referred to herein; this reference does notconstitute an admission that any of these documents form part of thecommon general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any othercountry.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, eg “comprises”, if andwhen used herein in relation to a combination of features should not betaken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have furtherunspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement“comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, optionally,have additional parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a hatcomprising:

-   -   a crown;    -   a brim made substantially from plastic; and    -   a central link being secured to the crown;        the hat formed such that the brim protrudes outwardly from the        crown and the brim is able to releasably engage with the central        link.

Preferably the central link has a male connecting member and the brimhas a female connecting member adapted to receive the male member.

Preferably the brim has a male connecting member and the central linkhas a female connecting member adapted to receive the male member.

Preferably the male connecting member is an elongate member and thefemale member is a slot adapted to receive the elongate member.

Preferably the male member has at least one clip and the brim has atleast one aperture adapted to receive the clip.

Preferably the central link and brim are configured such that there is amagnetic attraction between them.

Preferably the brim and the central link both have at least one magnetattached to them which are arranged such that they are attracted to eachother.

Preferably the brim and the central link have at least two magnets,wherein one of the magnets is larger than the other.

Preferably the central link is generally L-shaped.

Preferably the brim has an inner part and an outer part which are bothadapted such that they can releasably engage with each other.

Preferably the brim has at least one medial part between the inner andouter part, the medial part being adapted such that it can releasablyengage with the inner and outer parts.

Preferably the parts are able to pivot with respect to each other.

Preferably the outer part has a bottle opener connected to it and theinner or medial part has an aperture adapted to receive and house thebottle opener.

Preferably the outer part of the brim is made substantially from wood ormetal.

Preferably the brim is capable of being adjusted in length.

Preferably the brim is fluorescent.

Preferably the brim is transparent.

Preferably the brim or crown has a plastic 3D image protruding from it.

Preferably the hat has a front panel which is:

-   -   a) adapted to releasably engage with the central link; or    -   b) adapted to releasably engage with the central link and crown.

Preferably the brim has at least one battery or solar powered light onit.

Preferably the brim is adapted to releasably engage with at least onecamera.

Preferably the brim has at least one camera connected to it.

In another aspect there is provided a kit of parts suitable for forminga hat, the kit comprising the crown with central link secured to it andthe brim as described above.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in theart upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by wayof example and with reference to the accompanying drawings and photos,of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a brim which forms part of a hat;

FIG. 3 is a an underneath view of the brim shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a central link which forms part of ahat;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the brim and central link when engaged;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a brim;

FIG. 7 is side view of an alternative embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 8 is side view of the hat shown in FIG. 7 in which the brim hasbeen adjusted;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the hat shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 13 is perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of ahat;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 15 is side view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a hat;

FIG. 16 is an underneath perspective view of an alternative embodimentof a hat;

FIG. 17 is a perspective illustrating the hat shown in FIG. 16 when thecentral link and brim which form part of the hat are not engaged;

FIG. 18 is an underneath perspective illustrating the hat shown in FIG.16 when the central link and brim which form part of the hat are notengaged;

FIG. 19 is perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of ahat;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the hat in FIG. 19 when the brimand panel which form part of the hat are not engaged with the centrallink;

FIG. 21 is a perspective illustrating the central link, panel and crownof the hat shown in FIG. 19 and a cross sectional view of the panel tocentral link and crown connection;

FIG. 22 is perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of ahat;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of ahat; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective illustrating an alternative embodiment of ahat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a hat 1 has a crown 2 and a detachable brim 3attached to it. The crown 2, has an upper head covering portion 4 and alower edge 5 for receiving the head of a user. The crown 2 can be variedin shape and size and can be made from a large variety of materials suchas polyester, wool, cotton, canvas etc. As shown the brim 3 protrudesout from the lower edge 5 of the crown 2. The brim 3 is madesubstantially from plastic and can be wrapped in fabric in someembodiments. The advantages of a plastic brim compared to a traditionalcardboard brim are that plastic is more durable than cardboard (e.g.when cardboard gets wet it can lose its shape and can also rot). Asplastic brims are not water permeable they can be cleaned with a liquidsuch as water if for example they get dirty (e.g. get mud etc on them)whereas cardboard brims cannot be cleaned with a liquid as it willdamage them if the liquid penetrates the cardboard. Another advantage ofplastic brims is that high resolution 3D images and shapes can beapplied to them by heat transfer whereas they cannot be applied tocardboard. Furthermore plastic brims can be manufactured to betransparent and/or fluorescent whereas cardboard brims cannot. Plasticbrims can also be manufactured into different tailored shapes usingplastic injected moulding whereas cardboard brims cannot be. As can beseen the brim 3 is attached to the crown 2 by a central link althoughthe link is not visible in this figure.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a brim 6 which forms part of ahat. The brim 6 shown is made from plastic and is transparent. The brim6 has a slot 7 adapted to receive a male member (not visible) to enablea female/male fitting.

As shown in FIG. 3 the brim 6 also two apertures 8 which each receive aclip from the male member (not visible). In some embodiments the brimcan be fluorescent (e.g. can have fluorescent paint applied to it) sothat it glows in the dark.

FIG. 4 shows a central link 9. The link 9 is L-shaped and the uprightportion 10 is attached to the crown 2, preferably to the lower edge 5.The upright portion 10 can be attached in a number of ways for exampleit can be sewn into the crown 2, it can be attached with an adhesive, itcan be attached with fasteners etc. In some embodiments the central link9 forms part of the crown 2 i.e. is manufactured into the crown 2. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the upright portion10 of the link 9 and the rest of the link 9 can vary in size. The link 9also has a male member 11 which is perpendicular to the upright portion10. The male member 11 is shaped to fit into slot 7 in the brim 6 toenable a female/male fitting. This male/female fitting allows for thebrim to be easily removed and replaced when in use. The male member 11also has two clips 12 which are received by apertures 8 when in use. Theclips 12 help secure the brim 6 to the link 8. Although only 2 clips areshown it will be appreciated that the number can vary and in someembodiments there are no clips as the male/female fitting of member 11and slot 7 is tight enough to secure the link 9 to the brim 6. Thecentral link 9 is preferably made from plastic although it will beappreciated that other suitable materials can be used.

FIG. 5 shows the brim 6 and central link 9 when they are connected. Inuse the male member 11 is inserted into slot 7 of the brim 6 and theclips 12 clip into the apertures 8 and secure the link 9 to the brim 6with the result that the brim is releasably attached to the link 9. Inother embodiments the female and male interlocking connections differand can be for example a U channel and a T shaped member, or a hook andloop type connection i.e. Velcro™. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that other types of male/female type connections canalso be used.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a brim 13. This brim 13 hasthree parts an inner part 14, a medial part 15, and an outer part 16.The inner part 14 has the same mating arrangement as the previouslydescribed brim 6 and so has a slot 6 (not visible) and apertures 7 (notvisible) so it can engage with a central link 9. The distal end 17 ofthe inner part 14 is adapted to engage into a locking arrangement withthe receiving end 18 of the medial part 15. The medial part 15 also hasan end 19 adapted to engage into a locking type arrangement with thereceiving end 20 of the outer part 16. These parts 14, 15, 16 can comein different lengths and be interchanged so that the length of the brim13 is able to be adjusted. In some embodiments the medial part 15 can beremoved and outer part 16 can be attached to inner part 14 to shortenthe length of the brim 13. Also different graphics, colours and shapescan be used on these interchangeable parts 14, 15, 16 so users canpersonalise their brim 13. It will be appreciated that the number ofparts can vary for example in some embodiments there are only two partsand in other embodiments there are four parts etc. In some embodiments(not shown) the brim has telescoping means such that it can be extendedin length.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a brim 21 with three parts, a innerpart 22, a medial part 23, and an outer part 24. The parts 22, 23, 24are connected together by male/female pivot pin type connections 25, 26.The connections 25, 26 enable the shape of the brim to change. Parts 22,23 24, are interchangeable and come in different lengths which enablesthe length of the brim 21 to be adjusted. In some embodiments the medialpart 23 can be removed and outer part 24 can be attached to inner part22 to shorten the length of the brim 21.

FIG. 8 shows that medial part 23 can pivot with respect to the innerpart 22 and the outer part 24 can pivot with respect to the medial part23. Graphics or logo and/or wording can be placed on the bottom edge 27of the outer part 24 so that people viewing the hat from front on willsee it when in use. It will be appreciated that the number of parts canvary for example in some embodiments there can be two parts and in otherembodiments there can be four or five parts etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates that different graphics and colours can be used oninterchangeable parts 22, 23 and 24 which allows users to personalisetheir brim.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a brim 28. This brim 28 hasthree parts an inner part 29, a medial part 30, and an outer part 31.The outer part 31 is connected to the medial part 30 by pins 32 whichare received by apertures 33 in the medial part 30. Part 29 and 30 arealso connected by a pins/aperture connection but this is not visible.The outer part 31 is preferably made from plastic but in someembodiments it can be metal or wood. It will be appreciated that thenumber of parts can vary for example in some embodiments there can betwo parts and in other embodiments there can be four or five parts etc.In some embodiments (not shown) a bottle opener or a USB can be attachedto the outer part 31 and part 30 can have an aperture to receive andhouse it.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative style of brim 34. This brim has a number ofraised plastic features 35. In some embodiments (not shown) battery orsolar powered lights can be fixed to the brim.

FIG. 12 shows a brim 36 in which the distal end 37 is made from wood andthis wood is attached to the rest of the plastic brim by way of amale/female connection (not visible). In some embodiments (not visible)the distal end can be made from metal.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two further embodiments of brims 38, 39, one is ashovel shaped brim 38 and the other a wave shaped brim 39. When the brim38 has raised bottom edge 40 a logo and/or wording can be placed on theedge 40 so that people viewing the hat from front on will see it when inuse.

In FIG. 15 the central link 41 is made from plastic and has the image ofa lion protruding from the front of the hat. In this embodiment thecentral link 41 encompasses the whole front of the hat and is attachedby way of stitching or is fastened to the rest of the crown along line42. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments 3D images can be onand also extend from the brim 43.

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of a hat 44. As can be seen thehat 44 has a crown 45, a central link 46 and a detachable brim 47 madesubstantially from plastic. FIGS. 17 and 18 show the central link 46 inmore detail. Like earlier described embodiments the link 46 is securedto the crown 45 has a male member adapted to be received by a slot (notvisible) in the brim 47 to enable a female/male fitting. The centrallink 46 also has two magnets 48, 49 (preferably permanent magnets)attached to the underside of it. The brim 47 also has either a pair ofmagnets (not visible) or material which is strongly attracted to magnets(e.g. iron, steel, nickel, cobalt etc) such that they are attracted tothe two magnets 48, 49. The purpose of the resulting magnetic connectionis that it makes the brim 47 and central link 46 connection stronger. Asshown in FIG. 18 there is one larger magnet 48 and one smaller magnet49. In use a user slides the slot of the brim 47 over the male member ofthe central link on the right hand side which has the smaller magnet 48.This magnet 48 helps the user locate the correct place to connect thebrim 47. Once it has been located the brim 47 is attached in a sweepingmotion from left to right like the arrow shows in FIG. 17. To remove thebrim 47 a user will need to make a sliding motion from right to left asit will be difficult to remove the brim 47 from any other direction. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number andlocation of magnets can vary.

FIG. 19 shows a further embodiment of a hat 50. The hat has a crown 51,a detachable brim 52, and a detachable front panel 53 which as can seenhas a 3-d image 54 protruding from it. The panel 53 is preferably madesubstantially from plastic but can be made from any other suitablematerial. As shown in FIG. 20 the hat 50 also has a central link 55which is attached by stitching, adhesive or is fastened etc to the crown51. The central link 55 connects to the brim 21 with a male-femaleconnection like that shown in the earlier embodiments and can also havea magnetic connection like shown in FIG. 18. As can be seen the centrallink 55 also connects to the panel 53 by a male-female connection whichcan be seen in FIG. 21. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe other types of connections can be used (e.g. magnetic, adhesive,buttons etc) and in some embodiments the panel 53 can attach to thecrown 51 instead of the central link 55.

FIGS. 22-24 show alternative embodiments of hats 56, 58, 60 all havingremovable front panels 57, 59, 61 which as can be seen can come indifferent shapes and sizes.

References to a brim throughout the specification relate to any type ofshading device protruding from a crown including a bill, peak, visoretc. It will appreciated by those skilled in the art that the brims canbe varied in shape and size. It will be evident that various types ofbrims can be applied to the same crown and likewise the same brim can beused with various types of crowns.

All the brim parts previously mentioned can come in differentinterchangeable sizes and are preferably all made substantially fromplastic although in some embodiments the distal end or the outer part ofthe brim can be made from metal or wood.

Reference to plastic throughout the specification includes syntheticmaterial made from a wide range of organic polymers such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, nylon, etc, that can be moulded intoshape while soft, and then set into a substantially rigid form.

In use a user can remove the brim from the hat and either replace itwith another brim or put the same brim back on. In embodiments where thebrim has a number of different parts a user can interchange these and assuch the present invention allows for users to personalise the brim. Theinvention allows for brims to be interchangeable and different sportsteams could for example sell interchangeable brims with designs for eachindividual player and these brims could be traded among fans. Companiescould also sell or give away brims to advertise their products and/orservices.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have beenset forth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail solong as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. Forexample the particular elements of the crown, brim, central link andfront panel may vary dependent on the particular application for whichit is used without variation in the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein aredirected to a hat with a removable plastic brim, it will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that variations and modifications arepossible within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A hat comprising: a crown; a brim made substantially from plastic;and a central link being secured to the crown; the hat formed such thatthe brim protrudes outwardly from the crown and the brim is able toreleasably engage with the central link.
 2. A hat according to claim 1,wherein the central link has a male connecting member and the brim has afemale connecting member adapted to receive the male member.
 3. A hataccording to claim 1, wherein the brim has a male connecting member andthe central link has a female connecting member adapted to receive themale member.
 4. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the central link isgenerally L-shaped.
 5. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the centrallink has a male connecting member and the brim has a female connectingmember adapted to receive the male member and wherein the maleconnecting member is an elongate member and the female member is a slotadapted to receive the elongate member.
 6. A hat according to claim 1,wherein the central link has a male connecting member and the brim has afemale connecting member adapted to receive the male member and whereinthe male connecting member is an elongate member and the female memberis a slot adapted to receive the elongate member and wherein the malemember has at least one clip and the brim has at least one apertureadapted to receive the clip.
 7. A hat according to claim 1, wherein thebrim has an inner part and an outer part both of which are adapted suchthat they can releasably engage with each other.
 8. A hat according toclaim 1, wherein the brim has an inner part and an outer part and atleast one medial part between the inner and outer part, the medial partbeing adapted such that it can releasably engage with the inner andouter parts.
 9. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the brim has aninner part and an outer part both of which are adapted such that theycan releasably engage with each other and wherein the parts are able topivot with respect to each other.
 10. A hat according to claim 1,wherein the brim has an inner part and an outer part and at least onemedial part between the inner and outer part, the medial part beingadapted such that it can releasably engage with the inner and outerparts and wherein the parts are able to pivot with respect to eachother.
 11. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the brim has an innerpart and an outer part both of which are adapted such that they canreleasably engage with each other and wherein the outer part has abottle opener connected to it and the inner part has an aperture adaptedto receive and house the bottle opener.
 12. A hat according to claim 1,wherein the brim has an inner part and an outer part and at least onemedial part between the inner and outer part, the medial part beingadapted such that it can releasably engage with the inner and outerparts and wherein the outer part has a bottle opener connected to it andthe medial part has an aperture adapted to receive and house the bottleopener.
 13. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the brim has an innerpart and an outer part both of which are adapted such that they canreleasably engage with each other and wherein the outer part of the brimis made substantially from wood or metal.
 14. A hat according to claim1, wherein the brim has an inner part and an outer part and at least onemedial part between the inner and outer part, the medial part beingadapted such that it can releasably engage with the inner and outerparts and wherein the outer part of the brim is made substantially fromwood or metal.
 15. A hat according to claim 1, b) wherein the brim iscapable of being adjusted in length.
 16. A hat according to claim 1 anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the brim is fluorescent and/ortransparent.
 17. A hat according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the brim, central link or crown has a plastic 3D imageprotruding from it.
 18. A hat according to claim 1, having a front panelwhich is: a) adapted to releasable engage with the central link; or b)adapted to releasably engage with the central link and crown.
 19. A hataccording to claim 1, wherein the brim has at least one battery or solarpowered light on it.
 20. A hat according to claim 1, wherein the brim isadapted such that it can releasably engage with a camera.